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Title: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Innominate Man on 15:39:57, 13/12/18
I went to a preview showing of this on Tuesday evening and I believe it is shortly to be on general release.  
Because of the nature of the film it won't be at your local 'Roxy' anytime soon but perhaps some discerning venues will show it.  

 
It is a documentary about Alex Honnold and his bid to be the first person to free climb 'Free-rider' on Yosemite's El Capitan. What this means is that he attempts to climb an extremely difficult rock face that is over 3000' high (sheer granite) without ropes or any artificial aid.  
It is more than just a film about a climb, it is about us and our spirit that gets us into the hills and wild places.  

 
The filming is absolutely stunning and even as a climber the first five minutes were almost making me feel dizzy/sick - just looking at what he was doing, so high above the valley floor.  
Even if you don't have any interest in rock climbing (Mrs IM doesn't and she was impressed) it's worth seeing just for the views of Yosemite.  

 
Here is the official National Geographic trailer and contrary to how Hollywood often publicise films, these aren't just the best bits - the bulk of the film is like this all the way through.  

 
One mistake and that's it.   As somebody in the film says - " it's like going into the Olympics to win gold and if you don't win gold, you die"  
   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urRVZ4SW7WU


It's my recommendation for the week and possibly the most impressive film involving rock climbing/mountains I've ever seen.
If you get chance to see it, I hope you enjoy it too.

Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: pdstsp on 20:22:11, 13/12/18
It sounds a great film, I had tickets for a screening in liveLiver on Tuesday but work got in the way , have to wait a few weeks.  The trailer scared me half to death.
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: April on 21:32:25, 13/12/18
I had seen info about this somewhere along with a trailer. I'm not sure if you have to be a bit bonkers to do stuff like this.

I am assuming he survived and what an athlete he is to be able to climb all that way up with no aids. I won't be able to watch it mind, I get too anxious watching stuff like this, it makes me feel ill  :-[
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Innominate Man on 11:40:10, 14/12/18
.........I'm not sure if you have to be a bit bonkers to do stuff like this.

Most definitely  O0   
I think almost all people who are exceptional (i.e. considered a genius in their particular field) have that characteristic. Be it musicians (e.g. Mozart) or just rock climbers.
Perhaps in an inverse sort of way I can prove I'm not mad - because I'm only a crap climber   :D    
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Maggot on 10:44:36, 16/12/18
I am off to see this at The Watershed in Bristol next weekend sometime O0    https://www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/9474/free-solo/


I used to do loads of climbing, and sometimes did some freeclimbing, at times nearly to a height of 20 or 30 feet before I would lose my bottle (or see sense) and get down, so I know exactly what he was at  ;D ;D


Awesome athlete, and these guys and girls who do this are amazing.
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: redeye on 11:05:15, 16/12/18
He appeared on the one show last week. Hell, and I thought waking across crib goch was an adrenalin rush 😮. Just watched this https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3-wjmIFlnNo
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: richardh1905 on 16:45:26, 16/12/18

My heart was in my mouth just watching the trailer! What an achievement.


But soooo risky, just one mistake or broken hold away from certain death.
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Maggot on 22:39:09, 16/12/18
This is worth a watch..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX7p3jfr0mA  especially 1m 13s  :o


There are quite a few of these guys, sadly though their stories all seem to end the same way  :(
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Petrolhead on 15:33:49, 17/12/18
Good post IM. I've not seen it yet but I've been aware of Alex's incredible climbs for a while. Looking forward to watching it. 

Having stood next to El Cap, it's amazing that people even manage to get up there let alone to free solo it. It's incredibly imposing in the flesh, just a huge slab. The first ascent took something like 40 to 50 days. And now Alex can do it FS in, what was it around four hours? I think he does it in two with equipment. Incredible achievement, and utterly insane in my opinion.

If you've not seen Alex doing his TED Talk, it's WELL worth watching:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iM6M_7wBMc
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Innominate Man on 00:25:23, 18/12/18
.....And now Alex can do it FS in, what was it around four hours?


Correct, just slightly under four hours. And 45 minutes ahead of his anticipated time.
There is one unbelievable section in the film shot by the guy at ground level with a large telescopic lens - who you see in the trailer (turning away and covering his eyes): I won't spoil it for anyone who may yet see it, but there is a moment of sheer farce ...... It's early morning and not long after the sun rises. About an hour 'ish into the climb and watch what happens when he is able to speed up by traversing across a pretty narrow ledge  :o
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Petrolhead on 10:31:52, 18/12/18

Correct, just slightly under four hours. And 45 minutes ahead of his anticipated time.
There is one unbelievable section in the film shot by the guy at ground level with a large telescopic lens - who you see in the trailer (turning away and covering his eyes): I won't spoil it for anyone who may yet see it, but there is a moment of sheer farce ...... It's early morning and not long after the sun rises. About an hour 'ish into the climb and watch what happens when he is able to speed up by traversing across a pretty narrow ledge  :o


Really looking forward to seeing it. It's amazing how casual he seems about everything he does. I mean, I'm sure he's not at all but he just looks so calm and relaxed. I guess it's the mindset you need to be able to attempt such things.
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Innominate Man on 10:50:53, 18/12/18
I don't want to be judgemental or make any wrong assumptions but the film hints that he has a degree of autism (apologies if I am wrong): He certainly has some 'filter' in his brain that allows him to do this which would leave us with a deposit in our underwear.
His focus is obvious and at one point he is seen (before the climb takes place) imagining the moves in sequence and reciting them. He recalls not only the move but the rock features necessary to make the move. I believe that is an indication of his 'genius'. He certainly is very intelligent.
Despite his focus he is extremely laid back/chilled out. He comes across as a really nice guy and not at all arrogant.
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Jac on 11:45:14, 18/12/18
I watched the trailer with increasingly wet palms  :o and decided that seeing the whole film would not help me overcome my fear of heights and drops.
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Innominate Man on 13:04:45, 18/12/18
I watched the trailer with increasingly wet palms  :o and decided that seeing the whole film would not help me overcome my fear of heights and drops.
Funny you should say that, I watched the film with increasingly wet pants  :D




Note:- edited for comic effect.
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Jac on 20:53:50, 18/12/18

Funny you should say that, I watched the film with increasingly wet undies


 :buck2: :2funny:


Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Maggot on 20:35:55, 03/03/19
It's on National Geographic channel as we speak!
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Innominate Man on 23:29:52, 03/03/19
Drat !
In a money saving binge last year we dropped the Sky subscription. I haven't really missed it - until now !
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: MarkT on 15:26:41, 04/03/19
I watched it over the weekend and what a guy and what a mountain to climb. Very very good indeed.
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: richardh1905 on 17:05:10, 04/03/19
Watched it at the local cinema with my 12 year old son last Thursday - an astonishing achievement!
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Innominate Man on 17:29:19, 04/03/19
I believe it won an Oscar - so it isn't just us that thinks it's pretty darn good.
I just hope he isn't pressured into undertaking a sequel. It could just be a step too far.

There is one unbelievable section in the film shot by the guy at ground level with a large telescopic lens - who you see in the trailer (turning away and covering his eyes): I won't spoil it for anyone who may yet see it, but there is a moment of sheer farce ...... It's early morning and not long after the sun rises. About an hour 'ish into the climb and watch what happens when he is able to speed up by traversing across a pretty narrow ledge  :o


Did everyone spot the 'campers' on the ledge as Alex casually walked passed them ?  They must  have thought " What the **** "   ;D
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Hillhiker1 on 18:10:25, 04/03/19
Drat !
In a money saving binge last year we dropped the Sky subscription. I haven't really missed it - until now !


 ;D ;D ;D  Same thing's just happened to me!

Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Innominate Man on 23:31:37, 04/03/19

 ;D ;D ;D  Same thing's just happened to me!
Mrs I has a colleague at work who reported enjoying watching it on National Geographic too. Despite us not seeing it on TV she was able to say we at least saw it at the pictures prior to general release. Which is nice !
But, despite the advantage of the big screen (at the cinema) it would be good to record it and re-watch it again at leisure   :(
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: fernman on 08:36:09, 05/03/19
Repeated on Monday 4 March - missed that one! - on Thursday 7 March at 13:00 - I've set my recorder for that! - and on Friday 8 March at 20:00. And there's a +1 hour channel.
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Islandplodder on 08:51:41, 24/05/19

I caught Free Solo on Channel 4 last night.
If I'm honest I was a little bit disappointed.  The trailer was all about the climb, but that was a smaller part of the film than I expected.  There was a lot of chat, a lot of his girlfriend (though her take on the whole thing was interesting) and I thought that they could have put in a bit more about the rock and a bit less of him putting the fridge together and trying to look normal and domestic.
And for anyone worried about watching it, I have the worst head for heights in the world, and if you managed to get through watching the trailer, you won't have any bother with the rest of the film.
Worth a look though.
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Innominate Man on 10:33:50, 24/05/19
I caught Free Solo on Channel 4 last night.
If I'm honest I was a little bit disappointed.  The trailer was all about the climb, but that was a smaller part of the film than I expected.  There was a lot of chat, a lot of his girlfriend (though her take on the whole thing was interesting) and I thought that they could have put in a bit more about the rock and a bit less of him putting the fridge together and trying to look normal and domestic.
And for anyone worried about watching it, I have the worst head for heights in the world, and if you managed to get through watching the trailer, you won't have any bother with the rest of the film.
Worth a look though.
I saw it too and was disappointed...... but understandably - that the whole imagery was slightly less impressive on the TV.
Fortunately the cinema showing allowed it to be appreciated in all it's splendour.
Mind you our TV is pants !
I didn't mind the man behind the 'myth' side of it as it gave an insight into what it takes to do something like that.
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 11:56:31, 24/05/19
I watched some of it on Channel 4 last night.
I was slightly disappointed, as the programme was a bit slow and ponderous, even though the subject matter interested me.
The programme could have been shorter, and more to the point of just how great an achievement it was to climb one of the worlds most challenging rock faces solo and unaided.
I did not realise El Capitan was so high, just 350ft lower than the height of Snowdon, that's a seriously high rock face.


I much prefer the documentaries about Alain Robert, the French free climber, who has coined the phrase URBAN FREE SOLO scaling most of the worlds tallest buildings, mostly without permission.


His film documentaries are so dramatic, that its compelling tv, when last nights Channel 4 programme was not as interesting as it could have been.


Just check out his You Tube Video titled "Inside Tour Total"   Totally nuts !!!!!!!!
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: richardh1905 on 22:50:49, 24/05/19
Well I really enjoyed it. Better on the big screen, but still gripping on the TV. The drone shots near the end are stupendous.
Title: Re: National Geographic Film - Free Solo
Post by: barewirewalker on 08:35:55, 25/05/19
I watched the trailer with increasingly wet palms  :o and decided that seeing the whole film would not help me overcome my fear of heights and drops.
Since I gave up serious rock climbing, I have found I take little interest in watching these films. But Jac's remark has prompted a wry smile, it was Royal Robbin's film or talk on his ascent that introduced me to the practice of using chalk, whilst climbing. Though I never used it myself, it has become so overused now that, I often speculate that is more affectation than aid.


His reason for using it was the condition Jac mentions, but his reason was the heat, the type of holds and nature of rock. He also considered destroying the climb, I think, because of the increasing amount of ironware being hammered into it by the less skilled, who wished to claim the ascent.

 Ironic now, with the free use of chalk, it's use is almost obligatory because the free use has engrained into the rock of many traditional climbs first ascended by those, who did not know of it.